McLeodUSA Incorporated (Nasdaq: MCLD, news), one of the nation's largest independent competitive telecommunications services providers, announced today that it has entered a multi-year wholesale agreement with AT&T Wireless Services (NYSE: AWE, news), one of the largest nationwide wireless carriers, to offer wireless voice services to its customers as part of the Company's expanding Preferred Advantage(SM) product portfolio.
"We are very excited to be entering this strategic relationship with AT&T Wireless, which will allow McLeodUSA to provide extremely high quality, reliable wireless voice calling on a nationwide digital platform covering over 90% of the markets in our 25-state footprint," said Chris A. Davis, Chairman and CEO of McLeodUSA. "McLeodUSA will now be able to offer our current and potential customers wireline and wireless local and long distance voice services along with Internet and data services in a combined offering, thereby reducing costs, improving quality of service and increasing productivity."
The addition of wireless services is another key element in the execution of McLeodUSA's strategic plan to design and deliver value-added telecommunications services to its customers in one bundled offering with fully integrated processes for sales, installation and customer service while providing one simple bill.
"We are pleased that McLeodUSA, a proven performer in the competitive telecommunications market, selected AT&T Wireless Services as the vehicle to expand their product offerings to provide wireless services to their customers," said Tucker Moodey, Senior Vice President -- Distribution and Operations for AT&T Wireless. "We look forward to working with the McLeodUSA team as they launch their wireless program."
McLeodUSA Preferred Advantage Wireless(SM) will be marketed to businesses in its 25-state service territory, providing those customers with nationwide wireless service. The Preferred Advantage Wireless product offering will include standard calling features, voicemail, text messaging and a variety of popular wireless handsets and accessories. The Company will offer calling plans and a number of optional services specifically designed to facilitate operational flexibility, productivity, and cost efficiency for business customers. Preferred Advantage Wireless will be introduced in September and is expected to be available across McLeodUSA markets by year-end 2003. |
